Wan Gang, Minister of Science and Technology of China met with Alexander Shumilin, Chairman of the State Committee on Science and Technology (STSC) of Belarus on May 13th 2017. Shumilin was in China for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. The two sides exchanged views and reached extensive consensus on deepening China-Belarus cooperation on science, technology and innovation.

Wan welcomed Shumilin’s visit to China and introduced China’s progress in science and technology and the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy. He said Belarus is strong in scientific research and China attaches great importance to developing cooperation on science, technology and innovation with Belarus as China highly regards the productive bilateral ties. China is ready to work with Belarus to seize the opportunity of the Belt and Road, and deepen cooperation on science, technology and innovation under the guidance of the science and technology sub-committee of the China-Belarus inter-governmental committee. On the basis of personnel exchanges and joint R&D projects, the two sides shall encourage relevant agencies to work together in the building of joint laboratories, R&D centers, technology transfer centers and other long-term cooperation platforms, and promote the sustainable development of bilateral science and technology cooperation.

Shumilin introduced Belarus’ latest achievements in high and new technologies. He commended the Belt and Road as a great initiative and stated Belarus’ willingness to take part in the initiative and promote practical cooperation with China on basic science, commercialization of R&D outcomes and science parks. In addition, Belarus also invited China to engage in the China-Belarus industrial park where centers of technology transfer and translation would be built.

Also present at the meeting from the Chinese side were Ye Dongbai, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation; Zhang Zhihong, Director General of the Torch Center and Cao Guoying, Deputy Director General of the Department of High-tech Development and Industrialization.